Leeds drivers urged to make make road safety a New Year's resolution after 40 deaths on region's roads
Drivers are being urged to prioritise road safety in a bid to prevent injuries and deaths after figures reveal 40 people were killed on the region’s roads in one year.
Across 2024, 40 people died and 1,278 were seriously injured in accidents on roads in West Yorkshire.
Though this is a decline of 20 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively, Alison Lowe OBE still believes more can be done to improve safety on roads in the county.
Figures for 2025 have not yet been released.
Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime Ms Lowe, who is also Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board which aims to eradicate all road deaths and injuries in West Yorkshire by 2040, wants drivers to make safety conscious decisions when driving to protect themselves and others.
She said: “40 people didn’t get to see 2025 and everyone that cared for them continues to suffer their loss.
“Through Vision Zero, we want to end the devastation of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
“Let’s work together to make a real difference in 2026.”
By signing the Vision Zero pledge, road users can commit to actions which improve road safety.
Alongside supporting Vision Zero, Ms Lowe encourages residents to take simple actions to ensure they drive safely.
This includes avoiding the ‘fatal five’ of speeding, drink/drug driving, using a mobile phone, being careless and not wearing a seatbelt, which increase a driver’s chances of being part of a fatal collision.
Other decisions which prevent accidents include properly maintaining your vehicle, regularly checking tyres and fluids and being prepared for bad weather.
Leeds drivers are also reminded that they can submit dashcam footage of unsafe drivers on Op Snap and report speeding concerns to Leeds Council.
As well as this, free child seat checks will take place across the county from February 2026.
To find out more about Vision Zero, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.